Questions prompt coroner's inquest into 1996 construction death

A Radio-Canada/CBC News investigation into the death of construction worker Olivier Bruneau has resulted in a coroner's inquest into a previous death, underthe same employer, more than 20 years ago.

Bruneau, 24, died in March 2016 when he was crushed by a slab of falling ice at a construction site in Ottawa's Little Italy neighbourhood. Paramedics who responded to the call estimated theiceweighedup to45 kilograms.

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In March 2017 theMinistry of Labour charged Claridge Homes, Bellai Brothers Construction Ltd. andtwo supervisors, including Leo Simardfrom BellaiBrothers, for failing to ensure the health and safety of workers and failing to employ proper safety measures and procedures.

A Radio-Canada/CBCNews investigation later revealed that Bellai Brothers wasconvicted of offences related to the deaths of two other workers in 1996.Jesus Revillawas one of them.

The regional supervising coroner announced Dec. 1,that an inquest will now be held into Revilla's death, more than two decades later.

Fell from scaffolding

Revilla, 38, died in December 1996after plunging 13 metres from scaffolding inside a silo near Perth, Ont., where crews had been building the structures ata factory.

When I reviewed the file and I looked at it, I said, 'Yes it looks like a construction death.'-Dr. LouiseMcNaughton-Fillion, regional supervising coroner

Investigatorsfound a number of safety deficiencies at the time of Revilla'sdeath. For example, there were no guardrails around the platform where he'd beenworking when he fell.

Court ruled that "none of the defendants have shown anywhere near the amount of diligence that could be considered reasonable and due." Bellai Brothers Construction and Simard, among others, were convicted and fined.

Yet at the time, a coroner's inquest was never held in Revilla's death, a fact that contravenes Ontario'sCoroners Act.

According to the act, when a worker dies on a construction site of non-natural causes, it triggers a"mandatory" inquest.

Questions from Radio-Canadaabout Revilla'sdeathpromptedthe coroner's office to review its files.

Dr. Louise McNaughton-Fillion, the regional supervising coroner for the Ottawa east region, said she's perplexed over why aninquest was not called 20years ago.

"I really don't have an answer for you, the decision was made by somebody who has long since retired," McNaughton-Fillion said.

"When I reviewed the file and I looked at it, I said, 'Yes it looks like a construction death.' And after having it reviewed by experts in the area, it became very clear it was a construction death."

'Maybe Olivier would still be with us'

McNaughton-Fillion saidcalling an inquest more than two decades after a death is very rare.

"It is always better to do an investigation when things have just occurred, because you can address issues in a more timely manner."

ChristianBruneau, Olivier's father, saidhe is "extremely disappointed" the inquest intoRevilla'sdeath did not happen earlier.

"It could have revealed systemic issues withBellaiand LeoSimard'sworkerssafety practices at that time. Maybe Olivier would still be with us if the inquiry had taken place,"Bruneausaid.

A date for the inquest into Revilla's death has not yet been set.